Hello,

 

I not long had a service and noticed my center cross member was really rusty, they didn't mention anything about it, but i'd like to get it treated before it becomes a problem as it looks like it's not coated as standard.

 

I believe the part is possibly 5Q0 804 421B from looking at the parts system, but i'm not sure as that could be closer to the engine.

 

It's the part which is under the exhaust in the centre of the car, if anyone happens to know what the torque settings are that'll be ideal, as i'd like to take it off to coat it then put it back on

 

Thanks

 

Not my car, but see near the centre of the car there's a bar, that's the one

I think that is a VW Group weakness, as it is not a safety critical part, I'd think that MOT would ignore it - at least until it has or is nearly broken at one point.

 

I seem to remember thinking that that part looked very rusty "for its age/mileage" on my wife's August 2015 VW Polo 1.2TSI 110PS almost 43K miles, and so either coated the lower surface with something or plan to do that this year, ideally I'd remove it and de-rust it and repaint - or replace as that part should not cost too much, and work on that new part as mentioned below.

 

I think that if it really worries you, just buy a new one, strip the feeble paint off it and start from scratch repainting it, any/all black painted "underbody" parts really don't stay looking good for long unfortunately.

 

The joining sleeve on the exhaust near there also ends up rusting by year 8 or so - or at least the clamps do, though it looks like your car has the later version/design of joining sleeve, which might mean that it will resist corrosion for longer, my wife's 2015 VW Polo will probably need the clamps on its older style joining sleeve replacing this summer.

 

It is just a stiffening brace.

 

Edit:- sorry it appeared in "BOLD", I've resolved that now!

Edited 7 March, 20233 yr by rum4mo

I believe I found the part and it’s called Tunnel Brace according to elsawin, but it looks like to take it off you need to move loads of plastic parts which I can’t be bothered to do.

 

What I’ll do is rust convert and rust oleum combi colour it. I’ll do this as I’ve just done the same on my wife’s Fiat 500’s rear axle so already have the parts.